Interleukin aging effects

One component of the age-ielated decline in immune function is decreased production of the lymphokine that promotes the growth of T-ceUs, interleukin 2 (IL-2). Administration of recombinant-derived IL-2, both in vitro and in vivo, appears to restore certain immune functions in aged mice. Recovery of T-regulatory effects on B-ceU differentiation has been reported in human cells from elderly patients treated with IL-1 and/or IL-2 (42). Similar effects have been observed in the presence of the pentapeptide thymopentin [69558-55-0] (Arg Lys Asp Val Tyr), a weU-known IL-2 inducer. Recombinant IL-2 adrninistered to aged mice for three weeks has been shown to correct the T-ceU functional deficiency associated with antigen-specific immunoglobulin production by certain lymphoid tissue (43). 

The purported prophylactic use of Japanese herbal medicines to combat neuronal ageing has been related to their free-radical scavenging activity (Hiramatsu a al., 1992). Inhibition of the pro-inflammatory effects of cytokine interleukin-1 by recombinant endogenous interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in experimental rats is associated with alleviation of excitotoxic neuronal damage, an action which has also been related to the antiinflammatory effect of lipocortin 1 (Relton and Roth well, 1992). 

Anthony, D.C., et al. 1997. Age-related effects of interleukin-p on polmorphonuclear neutrophil-dependent increases in blood-brain barrier permeability in rats. Brain 120 435. 

McGahon B, Murray CA, Clements MP, Lynch MA. Analysis of the effect of membrane arachidonic acid concentration on modulation of glutamate release by interleukin-1 an age-related study. Exp Gerontol 1998 33 343-354. 

Clinical malaria is characterised by periodic fever, which follows the lysis of infected erythrocytes, and caused mainly by the induction of cytokines interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor. P. falciparum infection can have serious effects, for example anaemia, cerebral complications (from coma to convulsions), hypoglycaemia and glomerulonephritis. The disease is most serious in the non-immune, including children, pregnant women and tourists. Humans in endemic areas, who have survived an attack of malaria, are semi-immune and disease can be characterised by headache and mild fever. Infection by the other species of Plasmodium is normally self-limiting although relapses may occur, particularly in P. vivax infections. The species of parasite and the age and immune status of the patient are important in considerations of treatment and interpretation of the effects of all medicines. 

Rivier, C. 1994. Stimulatory effect of interleukin-1 beta on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of the rat Influence of age, gender and circulating sex steroids. Journal of Endocrinology 140 365-372. 

At present, a limited number of studies on immune stimulatory constituents in garlic were reported and the active principle(s) is far from conclusive. A variety of constituents in garlic may contribute to its effects, i.e. since the immune system involves several types of immuno-responder cells, different constituents may affect different responders. For example, our recent results suggest that AGE contains two types of SH-compounds one stimulates interleukin-2 release from mouse spleen cells and the other suppresses the release (unpublished data). 

The effects of co-3 and co-6 fatty adds in inflammation and aiitoimmnne diseases have been linked to the concentration of the type of prostaglandins and leukotrienes present in the cells. EPA-derived eicosanoids are less potent inducers of inflammation than the arachidonie aeid-derived eicosanoids, and competition between co-3 and co-6 fatty acids occurs in the prostaglandins formation. For instanee, an increased level of interleukin (IL) 1, a pro-inflamatory cytokine, is present in CHD, depression, aging, and cancer. Similarly, high levels of ILl and series-4 leukotrienes producod by co-6 fatty acids are presort in arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. 

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